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An absolutely gripping movie. Tension throughout: will the Muslim fanatics in Algeria's islamist vs. secularist civil war capture these harmless monks or not? Spoiler alert: the worst happens!! Extremely sad portrayal of innocent men who become collateral damage in a war that is not of their making. Nine French Christian monks live in a monastery in the Atlas mountains of Algeria, independent from France since 1962. An islamist party has won the recent national elections, but the government, backed by France, has refused to recognize the result. Civil war has broken out, with horrific atrocities committed by both sides. The monks do not seek martyrdom, but are reluctant to abandon the nearby villagers, who rely on them for medical help, food, and employment. Incredibly convincing acting by a stellar cast of French and Arab actors, especially Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale (yes, they are French!)

An excellent film! No wonder it won the Grand Prix Award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

hania4987
Feb 02, 2014

an absolutely incredible movie about faith and community. It's shot in a documentary style and focuses on the monastery of Cistercian monks living in northern Algeria. It was very interesting that they were presented (without the typical cynicism against faith or spirituality) as real people with a calling and commitment. There were many powerful scenes in this very quiet movie, but my favorite one is the one in which two of the monks are conferring with some of their Muslim neighbors. The monks are trying to decide whether to stay once the terrorists start their campaign. The monks say they are like birds on a branch not knowing whether they were coming or going. The villagers tell them that "you are the branch and we are the birds" who look to the monks for their foundation. A must-see movie.

imalibrarian
Apr 02, 2012

A movie based on the true story of eight French Cistercian monks who were killed by Islamic terrorists in 1996. A beautiful, unforgettable movie; an affirmation that love and faith will overcome fear, sorrow and pain, just as the Cross overcame death.

A very good, deeply moving (albeit slowly-paced), powerful film about real-life events in the mid-1990s, during the Algerian Civil War. Beautiful indoor and exterior (Morocco substitutes for Algeria) cinematography. // When hostilities threatened, these Trappist monks were forced to grapple with their convictions and choose whether to leave the country or stay. Their decisions to stay ultimately led to the abduction and death of all but two (who managed to hide and escape capture). // The film is based largely on the 2002 book (The monks of Tibhirine) by John Kiser; the voice-over near the end of the film (when the hostages are together in a room) is based on writings by Father de Cherge which were found, at the monastery, after his abduction. // Although the hostages died in captivity, there has been speculation that the Algerian military may have been involved (accidentally or intentionally) in their demise -- which had initially been attributed to murder by their captors.

This film was alright, though I don't see what the fuss was about. Some touching scenes, but a lot of wasted time and opportunities, as well.

voisjoe1
Dec 04, 2011

The story of peaceful French monks living in Algeria in the latter part of the 20th century. Their lives are threatened by conflict between moderate and fundamentalist Muslims. When Croatians are slaughtered by the fundamentalists, the monks must decide if they should continue to live there or flee for their safety.

A meditation on the meaning and value of life and survival, of courage, and of faith in God, etc.

EuSei
Jul 27, 2011

These monks were not "Christian" merely, but more correctly Catholic monks--i.e., Roman Catholic Church. This is a slow movie, with a few beautiful scenes. I am very partial to religious choirs, so I loved the monks singing. The last screen states that the monks' end is a mystery. There might be speculation about their end—none ever returned from captivity to tell what happened—but since they were taken from the monastery by terrorists, it is not illogical to believe they were killed.